Queens Wharf, Wellington Photo: 123RF
A coronial inquest into the death of a man whose body was found in Wellington Harbour will consider whether the council has done enough to keep the waterfront safe.
Sandy Calkin, 30, was last seen with friends on Courtenay Place about 1am on Saturday 10 July, 2021 - and then walking on Queens Wharf shortly after, the New Zealand Herald reported.
His body was found by the police dive squad a week later.
The inquest into Calkin's death begins at the coroners court in Wellington on Monday, and is expected to run until Friday.
It will seek to understand the cause and circumstances of Calkin's death, whether there are adequate safety measures on the waterfront like lighting and barriers, and if Wellington City Council has done enough to highlight public safety risks.
Another man has died in similar circumstances since then.
Sandy Calkin. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
The body of teacher Isaac Levings was found in Wellington Harbour after he went missing following a concert at TSB Arena, also on Queens Wharf.
Calkin's father told The Post last month that after Levings' death, he did not believe the council had done enough "to stop it from happening to somebody else".
Isaac Levings. Photo: Supplied / Stuff
Wellington City Council said it was working on waterfront safety.
"In recent years there have been incidences where members of the public have been harmed," it said.
"These incidents have enhanced the need for council to ensure that the waterfront environment is as safe as possible for everyone."
Its "waterfront safety enhancement programme" was set to take up to two years, and was looking at barriers, lighting, life rings, event management, security and CCTV.
"The 2024-34 Long Term Plan included the provision for continued investment in waterfront buildings, seawalls, lighting, electrical infrastructure and edge protection, as well as asset upgrades and renewals," the council said.
